Forming punch



June 18, 1963 T. E. WALSH 3,094,159

FORMING PUNCH Filed June 25, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 25, 1962 7 ana/v55 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,094,159 FORMING PUNCH Thomas E. Walsh, Bayonne, N.J., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed June 25, 1962, Ser. No. 204,864 4 Claims. (Cl. 153-21) This invention relates to forming devices and particularly to punches for accurately forming framework members.

Frameworks, such as angle irons, have heretofore normally been shaped, i.e., bent into a predetermined angle, with an appropriately shaped punch and a cooperating die, both of conventional construction. While such apparatus is satisfactory for forming some types of frameworks, angle irons tend to slip in conventional dies causing, for example, misalignment of holes in the respective legs of the framework, as well as other dimensional inaccuracies. These defects, of course, give rise to considerable difficulty in subsequent assembly operations.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is a novel punch for accurately forming framework members,

Another object of this invention is a novel punch which prevents ovenforming of angle iron framework legs and prevents slippage thereof in a cooperating die.

In accordance with the principles of this invention as related to the forming of angles in framework members, a novel punch comprises a substantially U-shaped portion which mates with a similarly shaped female portion of a die. The punch includes a protruding member positioned to engage a V-shaped slot in a vertical angle iron section so that the angle iron legs are formed at a predetermined angle about the protruding member. The protruding member. The protruding member of this punch advantageously not only maintains both angle iron legs in proper alignment and prevents slippage thereof during the forming operation in the die, but it also prevents overforming of the legs. Such a punch is of particular import-ance in applications Where angle iron members must be formed with a high degree of accuracy so that a number of holes therein, for example, are precisely located to facilitate subsequent assembly operations.

These and other objects and advantages will be more apparent when considered in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cutaway isometric view of the novel punch with an angle iron framework illustrated in phantom in the die; and

FIG. 2 is a cutaway front view of the invention illustr-ating an actual forming operation.

With reference to FIG. 1, an angle iron framework comprises perpendicularly situated sections 11 and 12, the former having a substantially V-shaped slot 13 beginning at the outer edge of section 11 and extending inwardly to a point 16 just short of the adjoining section 12. Ordinarily, a plurality of holes 17 are drilled and tapped in sections 11 and 12 to facilitate subsequent assembly operations wherein the framework 10 is utilized as support structure. The framework 10 is positioned either manually or automatically in a die 18 situated in a bed 19 of a forming device, such as a press brake (not shown). The V-shaped slot 13 in angle iron section 11 is positioned 3,094,159 Patented June 18, 1963 over a substantially U-shaped female portion 21 of the die 18 by suitable guide members 22.

A cooperating punch 23 with a leading edge 24 of a substantially U-shaped configuration is located directly above the female die portion 21. The punch 23 includes an upper extension 26 which looks in the ram 27 of a press brake in any well known manner. A shelf portion 28 of the punch 23 fits flush against the ram 27 to provide additional bearing surface to absorb the upward force exerted on the punch 23.

In accordance with the invention, a projecting member 29 is attached to the side 31 of the punch 23, a predetermined distance above the edge 24. Actually, two such members 29 may be employed, one on each side of the punch 23, if it is desired to form two angle iron frameworks 10 simultaneously. This uniquely positioned member 29, cams the angle iron 10 into position over the die 18 by engaging a side of slot 13, restrains any lateral movement of the legs 33 and 34 during forming and prevents overfor-ming of the legs as the width of member 29 determines the maximum angle of the bend. As a result, the novel punch embodied herein greatly facilitates the attainment of accurately formed framework members.

In operation, the angle iron framework 10 is properly positioned on the die 18 as previously described, and ram 27 is actuated by an external drive means (not shown). As the punch 23 contacts the framework 10, both legs 33 and 34 of the framework 10 are forced up from the die 18 into a right angle configuration, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The angle of the V-shaped slotted portion 13 of framework section 11 decreases until the juxtaposed edges of legs 33 and 34 abut against member 29 of the punch 23, thereby preventing any overlapping of the vertical portions of the legs.

It is to be understood that the above described arrangement is simply illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A forming device comprising:

a punch having a substantially U-shaped end portion,

a mating female die member to receive the U-shaped portion of the punch,

actuable means for driving the punch into cooperation with the die, and

a protruding member situated on one side of the punch a predetermined distance above the end portion thereof for preventing over-forming of the work material when the punch is actuated,

2. A device for accurately bending angle irons having a slot in one side thereof comprising:

a punch having a substantially U-shaped end portion,

a mating female die member to receive the U-shaped portion of the punch,

actuable means for driving the punch to bend an angle iron about the cooperating die portion, and

means for preventing slippage and overforming of an angle iron on the die comprising a member mounted on said punch a predetermined distance above the lower U-shaped end thereof and protuding outwardly a distance sufiicient to contact the sides of a slot in the angle iron during bending and to define the member mounted on a side of the punch 'a short maximum width of the slot after bending. distance above the end forming portion thereof and 3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said member aligned to project into the slot of the Work material mounted on the punch comprises: when the punch is actuated.

an elongated =bar axially aligned in the direction of 5 motion of the punch and having a length subst-anti-al- References Cited in the file Of this Patfint 1y equal to that of the slot 'after the angle iron is bent. FO GN PATENTS 4. In a punch and die having a stationary bed, a die 1 068 204 Germany Nov. 5 1959 member supported in the bed for receiving work material having an angle forming slot therein and a movable ram 10 62838 Netherlands 1949 located opposite the bed, a forming device which com- OTHER REFERENCES Pnses: Multiform Bender, model SHDSB, received in div. 14,

a punch having n end portion for forrmng the work Oct 22 1951, l Richards Co Kalamazoo 601:

up m the h i Michigan 153-48B. means for precisely limiting the forming action of the 15 punch, said means comprising at least one protruding 

1. A FORMING DEVICE COMPRISING: A PUNCH HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED END PORTION, A MATING FEMALE DIE MEMBER TO RECEIVE THE U-SHAPED PORTION OF THE PUNCH, ACTUABLE MEANS FOR DRIVING THE PUNCH INTO COOPERATION WITH THE DIE, AND A PROTRUDING MEMBER SITUATED ON ONE OF THE PUNCH A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE ABOVE THE END PORTION THEREOF FOR PREVENTING OVERFORMING OF THE WORK MATERIAL WHEN THE PUNCH IS ACTUATED. 